Life was peaceful. There was no rumour of anything amiss, so the residents of the castle relaxed a little.

Jarl even stopped worrying about his wife flirting with Sir Maynard. She had shown no desire to do so (at least not that he was aware of). Sir Maynard behaved professionally. He loved his wife after all.

Inge, for her part, still missed her son. She knew he would be a toddler by now.

Samira’s birthday was upon them already.

She looks like her father.

Only Queen Valenzuela continued to worry. She did not trust Hivera. She passed on her concerns to Jarl, knowing that her time was nearing an end.